पोप फ्रान्सिस भारतभेटीला

इटलीच्या दौऱ्यावर असताना शुक्रवारी G-7 बैठकीच्या दरम्यान पंतप्रधान नरेंद्र मोदी यांनी पोप फ्रान्सिस यांची भेट घेऊन त्यांना भारतभेटीचे आमंत्रण दिले आहे.

परिषदेच्या यजमान असलेल्या इटलीच्या पंतप्रधान जॉर्जिया मेलॉनी यांच्यासमवेत मोदीजी आणि पोप फ्रान्सिस यांचे हे छायाचित्र आहे.

मोदीजी यांनी याबाबत समाज माध्यम Xवर खालील टिपण्णी केली आहे.

“Met Pope Francis on the sidelines of the @G7 Summit. I admire his commitment to serve people and make our planet better. Also invited him to visit India. @Pontifex,”

G7 या राष्ट्रांच्या गटात भारताचा समावेश होत नसला तरी एक महत्त्वाचे राष्ट्र म्हणून भारताला या बैठकीचे आमंत्रण दिले जाते. इटलीत ही बैठक होत असल्याने व्हॅटिकन सिटीचे राष्ट्रप्रमुख या नात्याने पोप फ्रान्सिस यांनाही या बैठकीचे आमंत्रण होते.

याआधी मोदीजी पोपमहोदयांना व्हॅटिकन सिटीमध्ये २०२१ साली भेटले होते. तेव्हाही पोप फ्रान्सिस यांची गळाभेट घेऊन त्यांनी भारतभेटीचे आमंत्रण दिले होते.

दरम्यानच्या काळात पोप फ्रान्सिस यांनी आशियातील काही राष्ट्रांना भेटी दिल्या आहेत.

इतर राष्ट्रप्रमुखांप्रमाणे पोप फ्रान्सिस यांचा दौरा अचानक होत नाही, याचे कारण त्यांची भेट ही नेहमीच धार्मिक उद्दिष्ट्याची ( Pastoral ) असते, त्यासाठी स्थानिक चर्चतर्फे खूप आधीपासून नियोजन केले जाते.

याआधी पोप जॉन पॉल दुसरे यांनी भारतात १९८६ साली दहा दिवसांचा दौरा केला होता, पंतप्रधान अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी यांच्या काळात १९९९ साली ते पुन्हा तीन दिवसांच्या भेटीसाठी भारतात आले होते.

पोप यांच्या भारतभेटीला राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघाने नेहेमीच विरोध केला आहे.

पंतप्रधान मोदी यांच्या गेल्या दहा वर्षांच्या काळात पोप फ्रान्सिस यांनी आशियातील श्रीलंका, बांगलादेश, म्यानमार अशा देशांना भेटी दिल्या होत्या. या देशांपेक्षा भारतात ख्रिश्चनांचे प्रमाण फार अधिक आहे.

मोदीजी यांचे भारतभेटीचे आमंत्रण केवळ औपचारीकता नसून अगदी मनापासून असेल तर भारतातील चर्चचे पदाधिकारी आनंदून या दौऱ्याच्या तयारीला लागतील.

भारतातील कॅथोलिक चर्च गेली अनेक वर्षे भारताने पोप यांच्या दौऱ्यास मान्यता द्यावी यासाठी प्रयत्न करत आहेत.

पोप हे राष्ट्रप्रमुखसुद्धा असल्याने कुठल्याही दौऱ्यासाठी त्या देशाचे त्यांना औपचारिक आमंत्रण असणे आवश्यक असते.

भारत सरकारने पुन्हा औपचारिक आमंत्रण दिल्यास काही महिन्यांत पोप फ्रान्सिस यांचा भारतदौरा होऊ शकतो.

या वर्षाअखेरीस नोव्हेंबरात गोव्यात संत फ्रान्सिस झेव्हियरच्या पार्थिवाचे अवशेष दोन महिन्यासाठी भाविकांच्या दर्शनासाठी खुले ठेवण्यात येणार आहे.

दर दहा वर्षानंतर होणाऱ्या या प्रदर्शनातून गोव्याला चांगला महसूल मिळत असतो.

संत फ्रान्सिस झेव्हियर हे सोसायटी ऑफ जिझस (जेसुईट) किंवा येशूसंघ या धर्मगुरूंच्या संस्थेचे एक संस्थापक.

विशेष म्हणजे पोप फ्रान्सिस हे पोपपदावर निवड झालेले पहिलेच जेसुईट धर्मगुरु आहेत.

गोव्याचे मुख्यमंत्री डॉ प्रमोद सावंत यांनी पोप फ्रान्सिस यांच्या भारत दौऱ्यात गोव्याचाही समावेश असेल अशी आशा व्यक्त केली आहे.

Camil Parkhe

Sunday, May 27, 2018, 4:11 PM  | e-paper

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Church consistent in secular, pro-Constitution poll stance

Camil Parkhe

Saturday, 26 May 2018    goo.gl/GgS2fm  

The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), the apex body of the Catholic Church in the country, issues nationwide appeal to the faithful before the general polls to vote for those who will uphold the fundamental rights of the citizens, ensure social, communal harmony and well-being of all citizens, protect democratic rights and secular principles as enshrined in the Constitution. The Election Commission of India has never found contents of these appeals as objectionable or partisan to any particular political parties. 

A few days back, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called on Vasai Archbishop Felix Machado at the Bishop’s House, ahead of the Lok Sabha by-poll in Palghar constituency. This parliamentary seat has a sizeable population of Christians. The Christians can decide the poll outcome in this Lok Sabha seat and two assembly constituencies. CM Fadnavis had therefore called on the Archbishop to woo the votes of the Christians.

CM Fadnavis cannot be blamed for calling on the Archbishop to seek the minority votes for the BJP. It is an open secret that the Church does play an important role in shaping the views of its faithful in any poll. When there are attacks on the Christians or when their rights on food consumption, freedom of worshiping and preaching are threatened, the Church has always been very vocal in voicing its concerns. The period of elections therefore serves as an occasion for the Church to caution the faithful to vote wisely to ensure protection of these rights. The recent appeal of Delhi’s Archbishop Anil Couto therefore should be seen as in consistence with the Church’s practice to periodically ask Christians -  and also others - to vote for those who will uphold all the democratic rights enshrined in the nation’s Constitution and protect the secular fabric of the nation. A look at Archbishop Couto’s pastoral letter will reveal that he has not said anything objectionable.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), the apex body of the Catholic Church in the country, issues nationwide appeal to the faithful before the general polls to vote for those who will uphold the fundamental rights of the citizens, ensure social, communal harmony and well-being of all citizens, protect democratic rights and secular principles as enshrined in the Constitution. The Election Commission of India has never found contents of these appeals as objectionable or partisan to any particular political parties.  

In the recent years, the country has seen an alarming rise in the atrocities against the dalits, Muslims and Christians in connection with the issues of consumption of beef, cow slaughter, cow vigilantism, conversion and Ghar Wapsi. The members of the Christian community, a majority of whom are erstwhile dalits and tribals, are directly affected by these sensitive issues and the Church has on a regular basis voiced its concerns to safeguard the rights of its flock. The period before any elections therefore is used by the Church all over the country to appeal to the devotees and others to vote only for those who will preserve the nation’s social harmony and secular fabric.

Unfortunately, some political parties and organisations perceive these appeals as directed against them. The words such as secular, nationalist and nationalism, patriotism, freedom of expression and dissent have obtained altogether different connotations in the recent years. Those espousing the cause of secularism, freedom of expression, freedom of religion and democratic principles are therefore perceived to be the critics of the powers that be. Delhi’s Archbishop Anil Couto’s well-intentioned appeal is a victim of this perverse perception.  

Full text of Archbishop Couto’s letter

“We are witnessing a turbulent political atmosphere, which poses a threat to the democratic principles enshrined in our Constitution and the secular fabric of our nation.

It is our hallowed practice to pray for our country and its political leaders all the time but all the more so when we approach the General Elections.

As we look forward towards 2019 when we will have [a] new Government, let us begin a Prayer Campaign for our country from May 13, 2018 which marks the Anniversary of the Apparition of the Blessed Mother at Fatima, consecrating ourselves and our nation to the Immaculate Heart.

I request that we observe a Day of Fast every Friday of the week by foregoing at least one meal and offering our penance and all our sacrifices for our spiritual renewal and that of our nation.

Moreover, I earnestly request that we organise an hour of Eucharistic Adoration every Friday at a convenient time in all our parishes, religious houses and institutions, specifically praying for our nation.”

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Camil Parkhe Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Lok Sabha Constituency Bjp Church Fabric Fundamental Rights Election Commission Christian Community

Charismatic, youth conventions inaugurated in Pimpri Chinchwad

Charismatic, youth  conventions inaugurated in Pimpri Chinchwad

Reporters Name | CAMIL PARKHE | Wednesday, 11 November 2015 AT 11:20 PM IST

    

16th national Catholic charismatic convention, ‘Kairos Youth Convention 2015

Pimpri: Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), has highlighted the plurality of the country and said it was sacred obligation of all people to cooperate with society, irrespective of language, caste or religion.

Cardinal Cleemis, head of the apex body of the Catholic church in the country, was speaking at the inauguration of the four-day long 16th national Catholic charismatic convention and ‘Kairos Youth Convention 2015’ at St Ursula School grounds in Nigdi on Wednesday morning.

Cardinal Cleemis said, “India is a sacred land having saints, martyrs and living saints of various communities and a land, which offers the world a plurality of divine.”

The CBCI chief urged the gathering not to be exclusive but to be inclusive to serve all who are created in the image of God.
The two national conventions are being attended by a large number of Catholics including priests and nuns from different parts of the country.

The charismatic convention is being held at St Ursula School while the youth convention is being held at St Andrew’s School in Chinchwad. This is the first time that the two-national level conventions are being held in the same city simultaneously.

In his address, Pune district Guardian Minister Girish Bapat who welcomed delegates from different states in the country said that true religion is the one, which preaches spreading love to everyone in the whole world. “All religious shrines, be it temple, church or Gurudwara, are dwellings of God. People should experience God who lives among the poor,” he said.

Archbishop Salvatore Pennachhio, the apostolic nuncio in India, Pune Bishop Thomas Dabre and Silven Miranda, chairman of the local service team, also spoke at the event. The inaugural ceremony was attended by MP Shrirang Barne, MLA Laxman Jagtap, Bishop emeritus Valerian D’Souza.
Shirish Sebastian was the coordinator for the two conventions.

Church will host youth, charismatic conventions in Pune

Church will host youth, charismatic convention

Reporters Name | CAMIL PARKHE | Monday, 2 November 2015 AT 11:51 PM IST

    

Kairos National Youth Convention, 16th national Catholic Charismatic Convention

Pune: Over 7,000 delegates from all over India will attend the Kairos National Youth Convention and the 16th national Catholic Charismatic Convention to be held simultaneously at St Ursula School in Nigdi and St Andrew’s School in Chinchwad, from November 11 to 14.

The Vatican Ambassador to India, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, will inaugurate the two conventions in the presence of Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) President Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, Pune Bishop Thomas Dabre, Emeritus Bishop Valerian D’Souza and Bishop Thomas Mar Anthonios.

“This is for the first time in the history of the Catholic Church in India that these two national events are organised simultaneously in one city,” said Meerut’s Bishop Francis Kalist, who is Episcopal Advisor to the two events. Few activities are common for both conventions and some are planned at the respective venues.

The delegates coming from various parts of the country will be accommodated at the residences of members of various Catholic parishes in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad and also in institutions run by the Church.

Shirish Sebastian, co-ordinator for the two events, told Sakal Times that the local Catholics and the Church authorities have been planning for the two conventions for the past two years. 

New Syro-Malankara Exarchate at Khadki

New Syro-Malankara Exarchate at Khadki 

http://www.sakaaltimes.com/NewsDetails.aspx?NewsId=4682687039612375931&SectionId=5171561142064258099&SectionName=Pune&NewsTitle=New%20Syro-Malankara%20Exarchate%20at%20Khadki

Reporters Name | CAMIL PARKHE | Friday, 27 March 2015 AT 11:17 PM IST

  

Syro-Malankara Catholics, St Mary’s Malankara Catholic Church

Khadki: In a major decision, Pope Francis on Thursday has established a new Kirkee-Pune exarchate (vicariate) for Malayalam-speaking Syro-Malankara Catholics in south India having its cathedral at St Mary’s Malankara Catholic Church in Khadki.

Thomas Mar Anthonios Valiyavilayil will be the first bishop of the new exarchate.

With this Holy See announcement, Pune will now have two Roman Catholic bishops, the other being Latin Catholic rite Bishop Thomas Dabre.

Roman Catholic Church recognises 21 rites worldwide and three of them are in India, namely Latin rite, Syro-Malabar rite and Syro-Malankara rite.

Bishop Thomas Mar Anthonios is at present in Australia to lead the Holy Week celebrations of the Syro-Malarkara community there.

Bishop Thomas Mar Anthonios, belonging to the Order of the Imitation of Christ (OIC), was born in 1955 at Adoor. He was ordained a priest in 1980 and elected bishop of the curia in 2010. Apart from English and Malayalam, he speaks Italian, German, Hindi, Syriac and reads Greek and Latin.

The new Kirkee-Pune exarchate will be spread over six states in south India except Kerala. The states include Maharashtra, Goa, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and some parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The new exarchate will have  27 parishes. There are 21 priests dedicated to pastoral care, 13 convents of nuns and a dozen schools, including a college of higher education.
Fr Mathew Varikkattu, vicar of St Mary’s Malankara Church in Khadki, has expressed joy over the creation of the new  exarchate. The church has 80 families as parishioners.

On Thursday, Pope Francis also erected a new eparchy (diocese) of St John Chrysostom of Gurgaon with Jacob Mar Barnabas Aerath as the first eparchial bishop.

With this, the Vatican has granted the Syro-Malankara Church ecclesiastical authority for the whole territory in India.

Speaking to Sakal Times, Bishop Thomas Dabre welcomed establishment of the new exarchate in the city. “It is good news for the Catholics, especially the Syro-Malankara community in Maharashtra and other parts of south India,” he said.

Investiture ceremony

Thomas Mar Anthonios will be consecrated the first bishop of the new Kirkee-Pune exarchate at a ceremony to be held at the new cathedral in Khadki on Saturday, May 30. The ceremony will be attended by the Vatican  ambassador in India Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India president Cardinal Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos and Pune Bishop Thomas Dabre.

 

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शशिकांत बोर्डे - Friday, 3 April 2015 AT 06:37 PM IST

कमिलजी मराठी भाषेला थोडतरी महत्व द्या कारण आपण मराठी मातीतूनच शिकलो सावरलो बागडलो तेव्हा मराठीला विसरू नका /

 

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